LOS ANGELES SPARKS: 2018 (Belated) Season Preview

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basketball, championships, franchises, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Sparks, pro basketball, SoCal Hoops, Sparks, Staples Center, WNBA, Women's Basketball, Women's National Basketball Association

Five members of the 2018 edition of the WNBA’s – and SoCal’s – Los Angeles Sparks (from left to right): Cappie Poindexter, Candace Parker, Chelsea Gray, Nneka Ogwumike, and Alana Beard. Photo courtesy of sports.ragingtopics.com

 

LOS ANGELES SPARKS – 2018

22nd Season

2017 Record: 26-8, Second place in the WNBA Western Conference, one game behind the Minnesota Lynx

• Beat the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA Semi Finals, three games to none
• Lost to the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals, three games to two

Coach: Brian Agler, 4th year

Key Players (2017 stats):

• Candace Parker, F/C: 16.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 4.3 apg
• Nneka Ogwumike, F: 18.8 ppg, 7.7 rpg
• Chelsea Gray, G: 14.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.4 apg
• Odyssey Sims, G: 9.6 ppg, 3.5 apg

Current Record (2018): 3-1

Last Game: Beat the Phoenix Mercury in their home opener at Staples Center, 80-72, on May 27th

Next Game: vs the Minnesota Lynx at Staples Center on Sunday, June 3rd

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT7s8Eeqpd4

Highlights from the Sparks’ first home game of 2018, an 80-72 win over the Phoenix Mercury on May 27th. Courtesy of YouTube (click on the link).

 

A Few Thoughts and a Prediction:

Nothing I’ve seen so far has told me that the Sparks’ chances at winning their fourth WNBA title will be any different from the past couple of years, as like their co-tenants at Staples Center, the Lakers, this is clearly one of the WNBA’s elite franchises.

With a hardcore rival in Minnesota to boot, as those Lynx have become to the Sparks what the Celtics are to the Lakers; meeting in the WNBA Finals for two years running should convince any fan of that sentiment.

One thing I noticed as I took a look at this year’s roster is that some of the Sparks’ essential players are starting to get a bit, for lack of a better term, older.

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 30: Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks handles the ball against the Atlanta Dream during a WNBA basketball game at Staples Center on June 30, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) The Sparks’ leading scorer from 2017 at 18.8 points per game. Photo courtesy of time.com

 

Guards Alana Beard and Cappie Poindexter are in their mid-30s, while at just-turned 32 all-universe forward/center Candace Parker has started to show her age in missing the team’s first three games with a back issue, not breaking her seal in 2018 until last Sunday against Phoenix.

This tells me that the window for these ladies winning more championships like the one they won in such spectacular fashion in 2016 is starting to close a little.

Meanwhile, with them having a good start in winning three of their first four games, I’m seeing these Sparks as having another very good campaign – here’s my official prediction…

They should be one of the teams in the WNBA Finals again with Minnesota, like in the previous three seasons – barring any bad injuries, why should this season be any different?

I had a good time checking them out last year in Staples, though they completely blew a lead and lost to a mediocre Chicago Sky team in my first ever visit to Staples; that didn’t really spoil my experience in seeing my very first pro basketball game, however.

I hope I’m able to see another game this summer; we’ll see.

 

LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 27: Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker (3) during a WNBA game between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Phoenix Mercury, on May 27, 2018, at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, CA (Photo by Jordon Kelly/fi360news) Photo courtesy of fi360news.com

 

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LOS ANGELES SPARKS: WNBA Champs Celebrating Their 20th Anniversary

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basketball, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Sparks, pro basketball, Southern California, Sparks, Staples Center, WNBA, Women's Basketball, Women's National Basketball Association

Sparks celebrating their VERY hard-earned third WNBA title last season…

 

LOS ANGELES SPARKS

First Season: 1997, finished 14-14 and didn’t qualify for the WNBA playoffs

Most Recent Season: 2016, WNBA CHAMPIONS after finishing 26-8 in the regular season (2nd in the Western Conference) and beating the Chicago Sky in the WNBA Semifinals and the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals

Overall 2016 Record: 32-11

Number of WNBA Championships: THREE – 2001, 2002, 2016

All-Time Overall Record: 398-264

All-Time Leading Scorer: Lisa Leslie, 1997-2009, (also all-time WNBA leading scorer)

 

 

The most exciting finish in WNBA (& perhaps all of basketball) history, provided by the Sparks in the finish of Game 5 of the 2016 WNBA Finals. Courtesy of YouTube.

 

Other Notable Players:

Candace Parker – current player and considered the best player on the Sparks

Tameka Dixon – Original Sparks player, played for nine seasons

DeLisha Milton-Jones – Played most WNBA games in history (497), including two tours with the Sparks, 1999-2004, 2008-2012

Kristi Toliver – All-time Sparks leader in three-point percentage and free throw percentage

Penny Toler – Original Sparks player, 1997-1999, currently the Sparks’ general manager

Retired Numbers:

Lisa Leslie, #9

Penny Toler, #11

Home: Staples Center, capacity 19,079

First Game, 2017: vs Seattle Storm at Staples Center, Saturday, May 13th, 2:00 p.m.

 

 

Celebrating their WNBA crown at Staples Center, courtesy of YouTube.

 

 

Celebrating a win over the New York Liberty at Staples Center. Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com

 

A Few Thoughts:

Being an essential part of – and one of the best teams in – the most successful women’s sports league in U.S. history is certainly something to celebrate as they and the WNBA mark the 20th anniversary of their league.

I’m not exactly sure if the average sports fan in Southern California realizes that these Sparks were the only champions to call Los Angeles home over the past year.

And winning their title in a most exciting fashion on top of that, as their winning basket was scored with less than three seconds left in the deciding game of what’s widely considered the greatest women’s basketball game ever played.

And one of the best basketball games in general.

The only concern for me is whether or not the Sparks will suffer from a hangover this upcoming season, let down and not perform as well after all the excitement.

 

 

A highlight clip of the Sparks’ 2001 and 2002 championship seasons, courtesy of YouTube.

 

One thing is for sure…

It is my full intention to attend a Sparks game at Staples Center this summer.

I’ve been wanting to for the past few years, but I’ve somehow been unable to find the time.

Not this year – I am determined as I not only want to see a women’s pro basketball game, but also see Staples Center for the first time as I’ve regrettably never been there.

Of course an article describing what I’m sure will be quite the experience watching the Sparks and checking out the home of that team as well as the Lakers, Clippers and Kings will appear on this site.

BOTTOM LINE: I’m very much looking forward to checking those Sparks out!

 

Candace Parker, the Sparks’ current star who led them to the WNBA championship in 2016…

WNBA CHAMPIONS! Congratulations Los Angeles Sparks!

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basketball, Candace Parker, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Sparks, Magic Johnson, Nneka Ogwumike, Sparks, WNBA, WNBA Champions, WNBA Finals, Women's Basketball, Women's National Basketball Association

A team photo that any athlete would love to take – the Sparks posing with their WNBA championship trophy after an epic Game 5 of the finals. Photo courtesy of goduke.com

 

A SALUTE TO SO CAL’S LOS ANGELES SPARKS AS THEY WON THEIR THIRD WNBA CHAMPIONSHIP

Final 2016 Overall Record:

32 wins – 11 losses

Beat the Chicago Sky in the semifinals, three games to one

Beat the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals, three games to two

Candace Parker (left) going up against the Lynx’s Maya Moore during Game 5 of the WNBA Finals. Photo courtesy of fansided.com

 

Final Postseason Stats:

Candace Parker (WNBA Finals MVP): 19.3 ppg, 8.7 rpg

Nneka Ogwumike (WNBA Regular Season MVP): 17.9 ppg, 9.3 rpg

Kristi Toliver: 12.8 ppg, 3.0 apg

NOTE: ppg = points per game, rpg = rebounds per game, apg = assists per game

 

The last 23 seconds of Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, a 23 seconds that saw perhaps the best finish not only in women’s basketball history, but in basketball history, period. Courtesy of YouTube.

 

Just a few thoughts (I promise!):

You have to hand it to these Sparks, and I am only too happy to do so!

This team won their third title as a franchise in a most exciting – and as it turned out, controversial – fashion as they sunk the winning basket with 3.1 seconds remaining in the fifth and deciding game in Minneapolis against the top-seeded Lynx this past Thursday, taking the crown by a final score of 77-76.

Although it was discovered that a Sparks basket should have not counted because of a shot clock violation that the referees missed, which was ultimately the difference in the game (If I were those refs or any Sparks player, coach or anyone else in that organization, I would stay away from the Upper Midwest for the time being),

 

The Sparks’ Nneka Ogwumike putting up a shot during a climatic Game 5. Photo courtesy of baxterbulletin.com

 

I don’t think that should take away the tremendous effort that Parker, Ogwumike, and the rest of those Sparks gave.

Nor should it take anything away from a championship that – in my opinion – cements them as the best among the three professional and twenty college basketball teams (male and female) that call the greater Los Angeles area home.

And oh, by the way: That Candace Parker, who was voted the Finals’ MVP, dedicated winning the title to her recently deceased legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summitt was an excellent touch.

 

The goal of any athlete: going through a trophy presentation like these Sparks are going through here. Courtesy of YouTube.

 

As for the obligatory celebrations, the Sparks will be throwing one at L.A. Live today (October 24th) at 3:00 p.m.

Since there’s not much else to be said, I’ll just close this by saying once again…

CONGRATULATIONS SPARKS!

#WeRise  #WatchUsWork #LASparksQueensofBasketball

 

Magic Johnson holding aloft the WNBA championship trophy amongst a bunch of jubilant Sparks. Photo courtesy of parentherald.com

Catching Up With The Galaxy and the Sparks

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basketball, Galaxy, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles Sparks, Major League Soccer, MLS, soccer, Sparks, Staples Center, StubHub Center, WNBA, Women's Basketball, Women's National Basketball Association

A Sparks fan showing her team some love at Staples Center. Photo courtesy of feeds.bleacherreport.com

 

A LOOK AT WHAT HAS BEEN UP WITH SOCAL’S ENTRIES IN MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER AND THE WOMEN’S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION  (WNBA)

 

What with the Rams making their triumphant homecoming, UCLA and USC’s football seasons fully underway, and the Dodgers nearing their fourth straight division championship, with a HUGE showdown series against the rival San Francisco Giants coming up…

I think SoCal fans – the casual ones, anyway – can be forgiven if they have overlooked the Galaxy and the Sparks a little bit.

That doesn’t mean that those two teams should have been overlooked this summer as they have had very good seasons to date, complete with standout stars and passionate fan bases, and are both headed for prominent berths in the post season.

Here’s a look at our MLS and WNBA teams by the numbers…

 

The Galaxy’s starting lineup posing before a game earlier this year. Photo courtesy of lagalaxy.com

 

LOS ANGELES GALAXY

Record: 11-4-15, 48 points, 2nd place in the MLS Western Conference

Team Leaders:

Giovani Dos Santos (F) – 14 goals, 53 shots, 28 shots on goal

Robbie Keane (F) – 8 goals

Steven Gerrard (M) – 11 assists

Brian Rowe (G) – 101 saves, 7 shutouts

Last Game: Tied Sporting Kansas City 2-2 on September 18th

Last Win: Beat Orlando City SC, 4-2, on September 11th

Next Game: Sunday, September 25th vs Seattle Sounders at StubHub Center

Giovani Dos Santos, the Galaxy’s leading scorer. Photo courtesy of semanarioaccion.com

 

Highlights of the Galaxy’s 4-2 win over Orlando City on September 11, thanks to YouTube

 

 

A group of L.A. Sparks celebrating a win over the New York Liberty. Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com

 

LOS ANGELES SPARKS

Record: 26-8, 2nd place in the Western Conference, two games behind the Minnesota Lynx

Clinched the #2 overall seed and an automatic berth in the WNBA semifinals

Team Leaders:

Nneka Ogwumike (F) – 19.7 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 66.5% FG, 86.9 FT

Candace Parker (F-C) – 15.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.9 apg, 44.2% FG, 70.7% FT,

Kristi Tolliver (G) – 13.2 ppg, 3.7 apg, 42.6% FG, 88.9% FT

Team Points Per Game: 83.0

Opponents Point Per Game: 75.9

Team Rebounds Per Game: 31.5

Opponents Rebounds Per Game: 32.4

*Note: Since 20-1 start, Sparks’ record is 6-7, though they won their last two games.

Last Win/Game: Beat the San Antonio Stars, 71-65, on September 16th

Next Game: September 28th, WNBA Semifinals, vs a team to be determined

 

Nneka Ogwumike, the Sparks’ leading scorer and rebounder this season. Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com

 

Highlights of the Sparks’ 71-65 win over San Antonio on September 16th, thanks to YouTube

 

SPARK IT UP! SoCal’s WNBA Team Is Back For Its 20th Season

Tags

Candace Parker, Downtown L.A., Los Angeles, Los Angeles Sparks, Sparks, Staples Center, WNBA, Women's National Basketball Association

 

The official team photo of Los Angeles’ representative in America’s top women’s professional sports league, now in its 20th season. Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com

 

LOS ANGELES SPARKS

2015 Record:  14-20, fourth place in the WNBA Western Conference, lost to Minnesota in the first round of the playoffs, two games to one

Coach:  Brian Agler (2nd year)

Top Players (2015 stats):

Candace Parker, F/C – 19.4 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 6.3 apg (team leader in all three categories)

Nnega Ogwumike, F – 16.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg

Jantel Levender, C – 14.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg

Kristi Toliver, PG – 12.4 ppg, 3.7 apg

First Place Conference Finishes:  Six (latest in 2006)

WNBA Championships:  Two (2001, 2002)

First Season: 1997

Home:  Staples Center, capacity 13,141

Current Record:  1-0, beat Seattle 96-66 on May 15th

Next Game:  Friday, May 20th at Washington Mystics

Candace Parker, the face of the L.A. Sparks for this past decade. Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com

 

A FEW THOUGHTS:

After researching these Sparks, one of the WNBA’s flagship franchises, one thought was prevalent…

As goes Candace Parker, so goes the Sparks.

A perfect case in point:

Last season, the eight-year star out of Tennessee sat out the first half of the Sparks’ campaign to rest her body and avoid burn-out after playing in Europe.

The Sparks won just three of 13 games in her absence.

After Parker rejoined the team on July 29th against Minnesota, the team went a respectable 11-7 and, led by her 19 points and ten boards per game, managed to sneak into the playoffs despite having one of their worst records in their history.

 

A video of the 2016 Sparks Fan Experience, courtesy of YouTube:

 

As for this season…

From looking at the roster and 2015’s stats, the Sparks seem to have a strong frontcourt with Ogwumike and Levender complimenting Parker.

They will also be depending on guards Toliver and 12-year veteran Alana Beard.

Of course one game, as good as it was (the Sparks winning by 30 points) does not project how a team will do in a season, in any sport.

Generated by IJG JPEG Library A Sparks player driving to the basket during a game at Staples Center. Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com

 

And never will.

But it seems that these Sparks have as good a chance as anyone to be a factor and contend for a WNBA title.

I have plans to see for myself as I plan to take in a game at Staples Center sometime this summer, not only to check out the Sparks but to also check out Staples as I – with great astonishment – have never been there.

I plan to do an article about the Staples Center experience – what the sight lines are like from its seats, how the food is, what the costs are for souvenirs, what the atmosphere is like for a game – much like this site did for Dodger Stadium and Angel Stadium last year.

Suffice it to say, I’m looking forward to checking out that downtown L.A. arena!

And I likewise wish this band of Sparks sisters all the best of luck as they kick off their 20th season!

 

A group of Sparks celebrating during a recent game. Photo courtesy of sportsbookreview.com

 

SHOUTING OUT TO THE WOMEN: SoCal’s L.A. Sparks Ready To Roll

Tags

Candace Parker, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Sparks, SoCal, Sparks Dance Crew, Staples Center, WNBA, Women's National Basketball Association

A photo of some of the members of Los Angeles’ WNBA entry

 

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT BASKETBALL IN SOCAL WAS OVER AND DONE WITH UNTIL NEXT NOVEMBER

 

It wouldn’t be right to do a sports fan site/blog like this without acknowledging the team in the Women’s National Basketball Association that has called Los Angeles and SoCal home since the league’s inception in 1997.

Playing their home games in the same place as the Lakers and the Clippers at Staples Center, the Los Angeles Sparks are clearly one of the flagship teams in the WNBA as they prepare for their 19th season, which begins tomorrow against the Chicago Sky with their home opener being on June 14th vs. the Seattle Storm.

These Sparks are looking to improve on a 2014 season which saw them finish at 14-16 and in fourth place in the WNBA’s Western Conference, getting swept by the Phoenix Mercury in the first round of the playoffs.

Without wasting any more time on a boring preview, I thought I would post some highlights of last season, starting with a couple of exciting games:

 

 

 

 

Forward Candace Parker has been the Sparks’ top player since she was drafted in 2008. Here are some of her exploits from 2014:

 

And I thought it would be fun to post a video of the Sparks Dance Crew, made up of young people who undoubtedly generate fun at the games. This is a performance from 2013:

 

If you like what you see in these clips and want to check out this team as a result – their season consists of 32 games and lasts the entire summer – go to the Sparks’ website for ticket info:

http://www.sparks.wnba.com